Spirulina platensis Provides a Small Advantage in Vertical Jump and Sprint Performance But Does Not Improve Elite Rugby Players’ Body Composition

Abstract

The present study aimed to examine the effects of Spirulina supplementation on anthropometrical measurements and physical performance in elite rugby players. Twenty-two elite male Rugby Union players (21–36 years old) volunteered to participate in this study. They were randomly assigned to a Spirulina group (SPI: n = 11), or a placebo group (PLA: n = 11) in a double-blind design. Subjects were supplemented with Spirulina platensis (5.7 g/d) or placebo (isoproteic and caloric) for 7 weeks. At baseline (W₀) and after 7 weeks of supplementation (W₇), the same anthropometric measurements and physical performance test battery were performed. These tests included isokinetic leg strength and power, vertical jump, speed, and aerobic fitness assessment. For anthropometric data, the fat mass percentage was significantly reduced in both groups without significant difference between groups. While both groups exhibited significant improvements for Squat Jump (SJ), Countermovement Jump (CMJ), and 10- and 30-m sprints between W₀ and W₇, higher percentage improvements with the SPI group did not reach significance. Neither training alone (PLA) nor training associated with Spirulina supplementation affected leg maximal strength and power or aerobic fitness. Seven weeks of Spirulina supplementation in elite rugby players did not improve body composition or substantially increase physical performance. We only observed a non-significant small advantage in vertical jump and sprint performance in the SPI group. Based on the data from this study, Spirulina supplementation has modest effects in elite rugby players during the competitive phase. Further studies are required to verify Spirulina supplementation effects among athletes of different sports, ages, genders, and athletic levels with longer durations and higher dosages.

Keywords:

• Arthrospira
• body composition
• elite athletes
• performance
• supplementation

Acknowledgments

All authors have read and approved the final version of the manuscript and agree with the order of presentation of the authors.

Declaration of interest

The authors declare no conflict of interests with the information contained within this manuscript.

Authors’ contributions

Chaouachi Mehdi: Data curation, formal analysis, investigation, methodology, software, validation, roles/writing (original draft), review and editing, validation.

Gautier Sandrine, Moison Yann, and Collin Tom: Data curation, investigation.

Carnot Yoann: Data curation, investigation, software.

Bideau Nicolas: Data curation, investigation, software, methodology.

Guillemot Pierrick: Data curation, investigation, methodology.

Groussard Carole and Vincent Sophie: Conceptualization, formal analysis, funding acquisition, investigation, methodology, project administration, supervision, writing (review and editing), validation.

Additional information

Funding

This study (SUPERF study–FANTASIO project) was supported by the Brittany Region and the competitiveness pole “Valorial, osons l’aliment plus intelligent.” Spirulina was provided by the society “Algae Green Value.”

Notes on contributors

Mehdi Chaouachi

Chaouachi Mehdi, PhD Student in the department of science and techniques of physical and sporting activities and member of the M2S laboratory UR7470, University of Rennes 2. Research interest: Exercise Physiology and Exercise Performance.

Sandrine Gautier

Gautier Sandrine, MSc Student in the Department of science and techniques of physical and sporting activities, University of Rennes 2.

Yoann Carnot

Carnot Yoann, MSc Student in the Department of science and techniques of physical and sporting activities, University of Rennes 2. Fitness Coach in REC rugby club.

Nicolas Bideau

Bideau Nicolas, PhD, Assistant Professor in the department of science and techniques of physical and sporting activities and member of the M2S laboratory UR7470, University of Rennes 2. Research interest: Biomechanics.

Pierrick Guillemot

Guillemot Pierrick, MD, Department of Sports Medecine, CHU Rennes. Club Doctor in REC rugby club.

Yann Moison

Moison Yann, Certified physical education teacher, Department of science and techniques of physical and sporting activities, University of Rennes 2. Rugby Coach in REC rugby club.

Tom Collin

Collin Tom, BSc student, Department of Science and Techniques of Physical and Sporting Activities, University of Rennes 2.

Sophie Vincent

Vincent Sophie, PhD, Assistant Professor in the Department of science and techniques of physical and sporting activities and member of the M2S laboratory UR7470, University of Rennes 2. Research interest: Exercise physiology.

Carole Groussard

Groussard Carole, PhD, Assistant Professor in the Department of science and techniques of physical and sporting activities and member of the M2S laboratory UR7470, University of Rennes 2. Research interest: Exercise physiology.